Productivity estimates for education highest in 2011 says ONS

Figures published this afternoon suggest annual productivity in education has grown, reaching its highest yet in 2011 - the last year looked at. (Release)

The study, which looks at publiuc service productivity growth in publicly-funded education measures productivity growth by comparing growth in the total amount of education output (teachers, services and capital) to growth in the total amount of input (students) used.

Between 1996 and 2011 (the period studied), annual average productivity growth was 0.9 per cent per year, up from an average of 0.5 per cent per year between 1996 and 2010. This is due to the high growth rate in 2011. If figures weren't adjusted for quality changes, the 2011 figure for productivity growth would be 3.0 per cent.

Output estimates reflect both changes in pupil numbers and the change in the quality of education output.

The quality of education output is denoted by average point scores in GCSEs and equivalent examinations.

Most expenditure in UK education is in funding state-provided maintained schools. There is, however, significant spending on independent (which, as well as private, includes academies and free schools) and voluntary schools which is counted as a component of government spending.

A 1.8 per cent fall in the volume of inputs in 2011, says the ONS, is the net effect of a reduction in goods and services inputs, a slight fall in labour inputs and a small increase in capital inputs.